AIDMI led the first-ever action research in Central and South Asia, focusing on the demand for research and innovation among the affected population in the humanitarian sector. In addition, over 2,000 knowledge resources were mapped, and consultations were held with over 27 national and regional experts from 12 countries.

AIDMI has responded to several large-scale disasters. These include the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, the 2005 and 2006 Gujarat floods, the 2007 and 2008 Bihar floods, cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh, Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, the 2010 Leh cloudburst, the 2011 Odisha floods, the 2011 Sikkim earthquake, the 2011 Cyclone Thane in South India, the 2013 Cyclone Phailin, the 2014 Uttarakhand floods, the 2015 Nepal earthquake, the 2015 Chennai floods, the 2018 Kerala floods, along with many small local disasters and accidents. Through its relief efforts, AIDMI applies a human security approach that emphasises long-term recovery and community development, focusing on four components of security: food, water, shelter, and livelihood.

15,000 livelihood-recovery families and more than 9,000 habitat-support families.

AIDMI introduced livelihood relief in humanitarian action in India in 1998, and now no relief is without a focus on livelihoods. AIDMI demanded the formation of a national authority in 1999 following the Kandla cyclone and helped shape the preparation of the national act.